Method of containing a floral grouping or potted plant

ABSTRACT

A method of containing a floral grouping or potted plant in a sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve has first and second panels, and at least a portion of at least one of the first and second panels is constructed of at least two layers of material. At least a portion of the at least two layers of material may be connected.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/763,568,filed Apr. 20, 2010, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 12/624,786, filed Nov. 24, 2009; which is a continuation of U.S.Ser. No. 12/500,157, filed Jul. 9, 2009, now abandoned; which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/880,044, filed Jul. 19, 2007, nowabandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/110,250, filedApr. 20, 2005, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.10/780,084, filed Feb. 17, 2004, now abandoned; which is a continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 10/325,103, filed Dec. 19, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,691,458, issued Feb. 17, 2004; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 10/051,116, filed Jan. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,667, issuedMar. 9, 2004; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/895,302, filed Jun.29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,456, issued Feb. 5, 2002; which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/626,375, filed Jul. 26, 2000, nowabandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/366,630, filedAug. 3, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,657, issued Feb. 27, 2001; whichis a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/025,090, filed Feb. 17, 1998, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,930,979, issued Aug. 3, 1999; which is a continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 08/775,516, filed Jan. 2, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.5,740,658, issued Apr. 21, 1998; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 08/460,180, filed Jun. 2, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,703, issuedApr. 8, 1997; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/237,078, filedMay 3, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,979, issued on May 6, 1997; whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/220,852, filed Mar. 31,1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,851, issued Nov. 12, 1996. The entirecontents of each of the above-referenced patents and patent applicationsare hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) generallyrelates to sleeves, and, more particularly, to sleeves used to wrapflower pots containing floral groupings and/or mediums containing floralgroupings, and methods of using same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a sleeve having a detaching elementconstructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having a pottedplant disposed therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pot such as might be used with thesleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the potted plant disposed in the sleeveof FIG. 2 after an upper portion of the sleeve has been removed toprovide a pot cover having a skirt.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 witha gusseted bottom.

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway, elevational view of an alternate version ofthe sleeve of FIG. 1 wherein a bonding material is disposed upon anupper end of the sleeve.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an alternate version of the sleeve ofFIG. 1 having a folding flap.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an alternate version of the sleeve ofFIG. 1 having a bonding material disposed on a portion of an innersurface of the sleeve.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an alternate version of the sleeve ofFIG. 1 having a bonding material disposed on a portion of an outersurface of the sleeve.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the sleeve of FIG. 9 crimpedabout a pot.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the crimped sleeve of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 9 wherein acrimped portion is formed above an upper end of a pot.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the crimped sleeve of FIG. 12 wherein acrimped portion is formed above a pot.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of another version of the sleeve of FIG.1 having an extended portion serving as a support extension.

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of another version of the sleeve of FIG.1 having an extended portion serving as a handle.

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of another version of the sleeve of FIG.1 having an additional detaching element for enhancing the extension ofa skirt portion of the sleeve after detachment of an upper portion ofthe sleeve.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 16 after the upperportion has been removed.

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of another version of the sleeve of FIG.1 having notched perforated areas for enhancing extension of a skirtportion of the sleeve after detachment of an upper portion of thesleeve.

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the sleeve of FIG. 18 after the uppersleeve portion has been removed.

FIG. 20 is an elevational view of an alternate version of a sleeve ofthe presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) wherein anupper portion of the sleeve is constructed of a different material thana lower portion of the sleeve.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a version of a sleeve of the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) wherein the sleeve comprisesexpansion elements for enhancing extension of a skirt portion once anupper portion is removed.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 21 after the upperportion has been removed and the skirt portion is extended.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a sleeve similar to the sleeve of FIG.21 except the expansion elements do not extend completely to an upperend of the sleeve.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 23 taken alongline 24-24 thereof.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another version of a sleeve of thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) wherein the sleevecomprises z-shaped expansion elements for enhancing extension of a skirtportion.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 25 after an upperportion has been removed to reveal the skirt portion.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a sleeve similar to the sleeve of FIG.25 except the z-shaped expansion elements do not extend completely to anupper end of the sleeve.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 27 taken alongline 28-28 thereof.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a version of a sleeve of the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) wherein the sleeve comprisesfluted or groove-shaped expansion elements for enhancing extension of askirt portion.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 29 after an upperportion has been removed to reveal the skirt portion.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a sleeve similar to the sleeve of FIG.29 except the fluted or groove-shaped expansion elements do not extendcompletely to an upper end of the sleeve.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 31 taken alongline 32-32 thereof.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a sleeve which is exactly the same asthe sleeve of FIG. 23 except it has a support extension on the upperend.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a sleeve which is exactly the same asFIG. 23 except it has handles on the upper end.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a pot used in accordance with thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a pot cover having a bondingmaterial on a portion of its inner surface.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the pot of FIG. 35 disposed in thepot cover of FIG. 36 showing the connection of the pot to an innersurface of the pot cover.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve having an open lower endand having a bonding material on a portion of an inner surface near alower end.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the pot and cover of FIG. 37disposed within the sleeve of FIG. 38 wherein a portion of an outersurface of the pot cover is connected to the sleeve.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of a pot cover having a bondingmaterial on both a portion of an inner surface and on a portion of anouter surface of the pot cover.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of the pot cover of FIG. 40 havingdisposed therein the pot of FIG. 35 wherein the pot is connected to theinner surface of the pot cover by the bonding material on the innersurface of the pot cover.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve having an open lower endsimilar to the sleeve of FIG. 38 except having no bonding material on aninner surface.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the pot cover and pot of FIG. 41disposed in the sleeve of FIG. 42 wherein an outer surface of the potcover is connected to the inner surface of the sleeve via bondingmaterial on the outer surface of the pot cover.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of a pot cover and pot such as thatshown in FIG. 41 disposed in the sleeve of FIG. 38 wherein the bondingmaterial of the pot cover engages the bonding material on the sleeve.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of a pot having a bonding material ona portion of an outer surface thereof.

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of a preformed pot cover having nobonding material thereon.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the pot of FIG. 45 disposed withinthe preformed pot cover of FIG. 46 wherein the cover and pot areconnected via the bonding material on the pot.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of the pot and preformed pot cover ofFIG. 47 disposed within the sleeve of FIG. 38 wherein the preformed potcover is connected to the sleeve via bonding material on the innersurface of the sleeve.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of a preformed pot cover havingbonding material on a portion of an outer surface thereof.

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the pot of FIG. 45 disposed withinthe pot cover of FIG. 49 wherein the pot is connected to an innersurface of the pot cover via bonding material on the pot.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view of the pot cover and pot of FIG. 50disposed within the sleeve of FIG. 42 wherein the bonding material onthe outer surface of the pot cover bonds to a portion of the innersurface of the sleeve.

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of the pot of FIG. 45 disposed withinthe pot cover of FIG. 40 wherein the pot is connected to an innersurface of the pot cover via the bonding material disposed on a portionof the outer surface of the pot.

FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the pot cover and pot of FIG. 50disposed within a sleeve exactly the same as the sleeve shown in FIG. 38wherein the bonding material on the outer surface of the pot coverconnects with the bonding material on the inner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of an apparatus for pulling a sleeve abouta pot cover.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view showing another step in using theapparatus of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a plant package constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)showing a sleeve connected to a potted plant via a bonding material on alower end of the sleeve.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of a sleeve connected to a potted plantvia a bonding material on an upper end of a pot.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a plant package having a sleeveconnected to a pot wherein a bonding material is on a lower end of thesleeve and on an upper end of the pot.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of a plant package having a sleeveconnected to a pot wherein a bonding material is disposed on an innersurface and an outer surface of a lower end of the sleeve.

FIG. 60 is a partial cutaway, perspective view of a sleeve having anup-turned lower end and having a bonding material disposed upon aportion of the up-turned lower end and wherein the bonding material iscovered by a cover or release strip.

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 60 disposed about apot with a portion of the release strip peeled away.

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the sleeve and pot of FIG. 61 whereinthe release strip is completely removed from the bonding material.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the sleeve and pot of FIG. 62 whereinthe up-turned portion of the sleeve with the bonding material isdisposed partially downwardly about the pot.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the sleeve and pot of FIG. 63 whereinthe lower end of the sleeve is fully connected to the pot and a portionof the sleeve is detached at an upper end of the sleeve.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover.

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover like the cover ofFIG. 65 but also having a bonding material disposed on a portion of aninner surface thereof.

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of the potted plant and sleeve of FIG. 64disposed in the preformed pot cover of either FIG. 65 or FIG. 66.

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a potted plant disposed within adecorative cover.

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of another sleeve constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)having a bonding material on an inner surface of the sleeve near anupper end of the sleeve and having expansion elements disposed withinthe sleeve.

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of the potted plant of FIG. 68 with theupper end of the sleeve of FIG. 69 connected to the pot cover by thebonding material on the sleeve.

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of the sleeve and potted plant of FIG. 70wherein a lower end of the sleeve has been pulled upwardly toward anupper end of the pot.

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of the sleeve and potted plant of FIG. 71after the sleeve has been pulled completely upwardly above the pot.

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of the sleeve and potted plant of FIG. 72after an upper portion of the sleeve has been detached leaving the lowerend of the sleeve attached to an outer surface of the potted plant.

FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view of another version of a sleeveconstructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) wherein a separate skirt portion is connected to aninner surface of the sleeve via a bonding material.

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of the sleeve and connected skirt of FIG.74.

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a potted plant disposed upon a sheet ofmaterial having a bonding material on a portion of a lower surface ofthe sheet of material.

FIG. 77 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 76wrapped about the potted plant of FIG. 76 to form a pot cover havingbonding material on an outer surface thereof.

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of another sleeve constructed inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s).

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the potted plant of FIG. 77 disposedwithin the sleeve of FIG. 78 wherein the sleeve of FIG. 78 is connectedto an outer portion of the pot cover of FIG. 77 by the bonding materialon the outer surface of the cover.

FIG. 80 is a partial cutaway, perspective view of a sleeve constructedin accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s), the sleeve having a bonding material disposed upon portionsof an inner surface thereof.

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a covered pot such as the covered potof FIG. 77 disposed within the sleeve of FIG. 80 wherein the bondingmaterial on the cover is connected to the bonding material on thesleeve.

FIG. 82 is an elevational view of a sheet of material having a bondingmaterial near two edges of the sheet of material.

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 82wrapped about a covered potted plant in accordance with the method ofthe presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 84 is an elevational view of a sheet of material having a bondingmaterial disposed near three edges of the sheet of material.

FIG. 85 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 84wrapped about a covered potted plant to form a sleeve with an upper endof the sleeve partially sealed.

FIG. 86 is a perspective view of the sleeve formed from the sheet ofmaterial of FIG. 84 having the upper end thereof completely sealed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) contemplates aplant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeveportion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt forpackaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve portion can be detachedfrom the decorative cover portion of the package system once theprotective function of the sleeve portion has been completed, therebyexposing the decorative cover portion and allowing the skirt to extendangularly from the base. The protective sleeve portion and decorativecover portion may be of unitary construction or may be separatecomponents which are attached together by various bonding materials.

More specifically, the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s) contemplates a plant cover for covering a pot having an outerperipheral surface. The plant cover comprises (1) a base portion havinga lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an area ofexcess material for allowing extension of a portion of the base portionand having an opening extending from the upper end to the lower end, and(2) an upper portion extending from the upper end of the base portionand detachable therefrom, and wherein when the upper portion is detachedfrom the upper end of the base portion, the area of excess materialexpands causing portions of the base portion to extend angularly fromthe base. In general, the base portion is sized to substantially coverthe outer peripheral surface of the pot. The upper portion may bedetachable via a detaching element such as perforations, tear strips andzippers. The plant cover may have an extended portion extending from theupper portion for serving as a handle or support device.

More particularly, the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s) may be a plant cover comprising (1) a base portion having alower end, an upper end, and an outer peripheral surface and having anopening extending from the upper end to the lower end, (2) an upperportion extending from the upper end of the base portion and detachabletherefrom, (3) and an expansion element integral to the base portion andoptionally integral to the upper portion, for allowing expansion of aportion of the base portion into a skirt portion extending angularlyfrom the base portion when the upper portion is detached from the upperend of the base portion. The expansion element may be a plurality ofvertical pleats, a plurality of vertical folds each having a Z-shapedcross section, a plurality of vertical accordion-type folds, or othersimilar types of expandable forms.

More particularly, the plant cover may comprise (1) a base portionhaving a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, andhaving an opening extending from the upper end to the lower end, (2) askirt portion attached to the base portion and having an upper end andextending a distance beyond the upper end of the base portion, (3) anexpansion element integral to at least one of the skirt portion and thebase portion for enabling at least a portion of the skirt portion to beextended angularly from the base portion, and (4) an upper portionattached to the upper end of the skirt portion and detachable therefrom,and wherein when the upper portion is detached from the upper end of theskirt portion, the expansion element enables the skirt portion to beextended angularly from the base portion.

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) furthercontemplates a tubular sleeve for containing a pot assembly, and havinga lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an innerperipheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space. The tubularsleeve may comprise (1) a base portion having a lower end and an upperend and a retaining space for enclosing the pot assembly, and sized tosubstantially cover the pot assembly, (2) a skirt portion extendingbeyond the upper end of the base portion and continuous therewith andhaving an upper peripheral edge, and (3) an upper portion having anupper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge, the lower peripheraledge connected to the upper peripheral edge of the skirt portion anddetachable therefrom and extending a distance therefrom, and sized tosubstantially surround and encompass a floral grouping, and wherein whenthe upper portion is detached from the upper peripheral edge of theskirt portion, the skirt portion extends angularly from the baseportion.

The tubular sleeve may further comprise an expansion element integral toat least one of the skirt portion and the base portion for enhancing theangular extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away fromthe base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion may beconstructed from a first material and the upper portion may beconstructed from a second material different from the first material.

The tubular sleeve may form part of a plant package when used inconjunction with a pot assembly disposed within the retaining space ofthe base portion of the tubular sleeve, the pot assembly having a floralgrouping disposed therein, and wherein the pot assembly is substantiallysurrounded and encompassed by the base portion and the floral groupingis substantially surrounded and encompassed by the upper portion.

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) furthercontemplates a plant cover comprising, (1) a base portion having a lowerend, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and having an openingextending from the upper end to the lower end, (2) a skirt portionattached to the base portion and extending a distance beyond the upperend of the base portion, and (3) an upper portion connected to the outerperipheral surface of the base portion and extending from the upper endof the base portion and detachable therefrom and substantiallysurrounding the skirt portion, and wherein when the upper portion isdetached from the upper end of the base portion, the skirt portion isexposed allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the baseportion. Further, the base portion may comprise a bonding material forbondingly connecting to the upper portion. Also, the base portion maycomprise a bonding material for bondingly connecting to a pot disposedtherein. Further, the upper portion may comprise a bonding material forbondingly connecting to the base portion. The plant cover may furthercomprise part of a plant package which includes a pot disposed withinthe inner retaining space of the base portion, the pot having a floralgrouping disposed therein, and wherein the pot is substantiallysurrounded and encompassed by the base portion and the floral groupingis substantially surrounded and encompassed by the upper portion.

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) furthercontemplates a plant cover comprising (1) a tubular sleeve having alower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an innerperipheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, and furthercomprising (a) a base portion for enclosing a pot, the base portionhaving an upper end and a lower end and sized to substantially cover theouter peripheral surface of the pot, and (b) an upper portion having anupper end and a lower end, the lower end detachably connected to theupper end of the base portion and extending a distance therefrom, andwherein the upper portion is sized to substantially surround andencompass a floral grouping disposed within the pot, and (2) a skirtportion positioned within the tubular sleeve and having an upper end anda lower end, the lower end attached to the inner peripheral surface ofthe base portion, the upper end of the skirt portion freely extending adistance beyond the upper end of the base portion and substantiallysurrounded and encompassed by the upper portion and wherein when theupper portion is detached from the upper end of the base portion, theskirt portion is exposed allowing the skirt portion to be extendedangularly from the upper end of the base portion.

The base portion and the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve may beconstructed from a first material and the upper portion constructed froma second material different from the first material. The base portionand the upper portion of the tubular sleeve may be constructed from afirst material and the skirt portion constructed from a second materialdifferent from the first material. The plant cover may comprise aportion of a plant package which additionally comprises a pot disposedwithin the tubular sleeve, the pot having a floral grouping disposedtherein, and wherein the pot is substantially surrounded and encompassedby the base portion and the floral grouping is substantially surroundedand encompassed by the upper portion.

These embodiments and others of the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) are now described in more detail below.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 1-20

Shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein by the general reference numeral10 is a flexible bag or sleeve of unitary construction. The sleeve 10initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which isopenable in the form of a tube or sleeve. The sleeve 10 may be taperedoutwardly from the lower end toward a larger diameter at its upper end.In its flattened state the sleeve 10 has an overall trapezoidal ormodified trapezoidal shape, and when opened is substantiallyfrusto-conical to coniform. It will be appreciated, however, that thesleeve 10 may comprise variations on the aforementioned shapes or maycomprise significantly altered shapes such as square or rectangular,wherein the sleeve 10 when opened has a cylindrical form, as long as thesleeve 10 functions in accordance with the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) in the manner described herein.

The sleeve 10 has an upper end 12, a lower end 14, an outer peripheralsurface 16, and in its flattened state has a first side 18 and a secondside 20. The sleeve 10 has an opening 21 (FIG. 2) at the upper end 12and may be open at the lower end 14, or provided with excess material atleast sufficient to form a closed bottom of the sleeve 10 at the lowerend 14. The sleeve 10 also has an inner peripheral surface 22 which,when the sleeve 10 is opened, defines and encompasses an inner retainingspace 24 as shown in FIG. 2. When the lower end 14 of the sleeve 10 hasa closed bottom, a portion of the lower end 14 may be inwardly folded toform one or more gussets for permitting a circular bottom of an objectsuch as a potted plant 30 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to be disposed into the innerretaining space 24 of the lower end 14 of the sleeve 10.

The sleeve 10 is generally frusto-conically shaped, but the sleeve 10may be, by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical,frusto-conical, a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical, orany other shape, as long as the sleeve 10 functions as described hereinas noted above. Further, the sleeve 10 may comprise any shape, whethergeometric, non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful as long as itfunctions in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s). The sleeve 10 may also be equipped with drains orventilation holes (not shown), or can be made from permeable orimpermeable materials.

The material from which the sleeve 10 is constructed has a thickness ina range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil. Often, the thickness of thesleeve 10 is in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil. Preferably,the sleeve 10 has a thickness in a range from about 1.0 mil to about 5mil. More preferably, the sleeve 10 is constructed from a material whichis flexible, semi-rigid, rigid, or any combination thereof. The sleeve10 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality oflayers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of thematerial may be utilized as long as the material functions in accordancewith the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) asdescribed herein. The layers of material comprising the sleeve 10 may beconnected together or laminated or may be separate layers. Suchmaterials used to construct the sleeve 10 are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,111,637 entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued toWeder et al., on May 12, 1992, which is hereby expressly incorporatedherein by reference. Any thickness of material may be utilized inaccordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)as long as the sleeve 10 may be formed as described herein, and as longas the formed sleeve 10 may contain at least a portion of a pot 32 orthe potted plant 30 or a floral grouping, as described herein.Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable asone of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provideadditional protection for the item, such as the floral grouping,contained therein.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 10 may be constructed from twopolypropylene films. The material comprising the sleeve 10 may beconnected together or laminated or may be separate layers. In analternative embodiment, the sleeve 10 may be constructed from only oneof the polypropylene films.

The sleeve 10 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a clingmaterial. “Cling Wrap or Material” when used herein means any materialwhich is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itselfupon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappableabout an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engageand connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively,itself, for generally securing the material wrapped about at least aportion of the pot 32. This connecting engagement is preferablytemporary in that the material may be easily removed, i.e., the clingmaterial “clings” to the pot 32.

The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, frompolyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation,Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, dependupon the size of sleeve 10 and the size of the pot 32 in the sleeve 10,i.e., generally, a larger pot 32 may require a thicker and thereforestronger cling material. The cling material will range in thickness fromless than about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil, and preferably less than about0.5 mil to about 2.5 mil and most preferably from less than about 0.6mil to about 2 mil. However, any thickness of cling material may beutilized in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) which permits the cling material to function asdescribed herein.

The sleeve 10 is constructed from any suitable material that is capableof being formed into a sleeve and wrapped about the potted plant 30 orthe pot 32. Preferably, the material comprises paper (untreated ortreated in any manner), metal foil, polymeric film, non-polymeric film,fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), cardboard, fiber,cloth, burlap, or laminations or combinations thereof.

The term “polymeric film” means a material made of a synthetic polymersuch as a polypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such ascellophane. A polymeric film is relatively strong and not as subject totearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper orfoil.

The material employed in the construction of the sleeve 10 may vary incolor and may consist of designs or decorative patterns which areprinted, etched, and/or embossed thereon using inks or other printingmaterials. An example of an ink which may be applied to the surface ofthe material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 entitled “WaterBased Ink On Foil And/Or Synthetic Organic Polymer” issued to Kingman onSep. 15, 1992, and which is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

In addition, the material may have various colorings, coatings, flockingand/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentationapplied separately or simultaneously or may be characterized totally orpartially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, neon, orthe like qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occuralone or in combination, and may be applied to the upper and/or lowersurface of the material comprising the sleeve 10. Moreover, portions ofthe material used in constructing the sleeve 10 may vary in thecombination of such characteristics. The material utilized for thesleeve 10 itself may be opaque, translucent, transparent, or partiallyclear or tinted transparent.

It will generally be desired to use the sleeve 10 as a covering for thepotted plant 30 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the potted plant 30comprises the pot 32 having an upper rim 34, a lower end 36, an outerperipheral surface 38, and an inner peripheral surface which encompassesan inner retaining space 40 for retaining a floral grouping or plant 42.The lower end 36 of the pot 32 is closed but may have holes forpermitting water drainage. The term “pot” as used herein refers to anytype of container used for holding the floral grouping or plant 42.Examples of pots, used in accordance with the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) include, but not by way of limitation, claypots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from natural and/or syntheticfibers, or any combination thereof. The pot 32 is adapted to receive thefloral grouping 42 in the inner retaining space 40. The floral grouping42 may be disposed within the pot 32 along with a suitable growingmedium described in further detail below, or other retaining medium,such as a floral foam. It will also be understood that the floralgrouping 42, and any appropriate growing medium or other retainingmedium, may be disposed in the sleeve 10 without the pot 32.

The term “floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers,artificial flowers, a single flower, or other fresh and/or artificialplants, or other floral materials and may include other secondary plantsand/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to theaesthetics of the overall floral grouping. The floral grouping 42comprises a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion. Further, thefloral grouping 42 may comprise a growing potted plant having a rootportion (not shown) as well. However, it will be appreciated that thefloral grouping may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage, or abotanical item (not shown), or a propagule (not shown). The term “floralgrouping” may be used interchangeably herein with both the terms “floralarrangement” and “potted plant”. The term “floral grouping” may also beused interchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or“propagule.”

The term “growing medium” when used herein means any liquid, solid orgaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation ofpropagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil,humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients,fertilizers or hormones, or combinations thereof required by the plantsor propagules for growth.

The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificialherbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term“botanical item” also means any portion or portions of natural orartificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers,blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly, or incombination, or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floralgrouping.

The term “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable ofbeing propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds,shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

In accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s), a bonding material may be disposed on a portion of thesleeve 10 to assist in holding the sleeve 10 to the pot 32 having thefloral grouping 42 therein when such a pot 32 is disposed within thesleeve 10 or to assist in closing the upper end 12 of the sleeve 10 oradhering the sleeve 10 to the pot 32 after the pot 32 has been disposedtherein, as will be discussed in further detail below.

It will be understood that the bonding material may be disposed as astrip or block on a surface of the sleeve 10. The bonding material mayalso be disposed upon either the outer peripheral surface 16, or theinner peripheral surface 22 of the sleeve 10, as well as upon the pot32. Further, the bonding material may be disposed as spots of bondingmaterial, or in any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, orfanciful form, and in any pattern including covering either the entireinner peripheral surface and/or outer peripheral surface of the sleeve10 and/or the pot or pot cover. The bonding material may be covered by acover or release strip which can be removed prior to the use of thesleeve, pot, or pot cover. The bonding material can be applied by meansknown to those of ordinary skill in their art. One method for disposinga bonding material, in this case an adhesive, is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,111,637 entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued toWeder et al., on May 12, 1992, which has been incorporated by referenceabove.

The term “bonding material” when used herein means an adhesive,frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. When thebonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must beplaced on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondinglyengaging with the cohesive material. The term “bonding material” alsoincludes materials which are heat sealable and, in this instance, theadjacent portions of the material must be brought into contact and thenheat must be applied to affect the seal. The term “bonding material”also includes materials which are sonic sealable and vibratory sealable.The term “bonding material” when used herein also means a heat sealinglacquer or hot melt material which may be applied to the material and,in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be appliedto effect the sealing.

The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any type ofmaterial or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connectingof the two adjacent portions of the material, or sheet of material toeffect the connection, or bonding described herein. The term “bondingmaterial” may also include ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes(including single or double-sided adhesive tapes), staples, orcombinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials would secure theends of the material while other bonding material may bind thecircumference of a wrapper, or a sleeve, or, alternatively and/or inaddition, the bonding materials would secure overlapping folds in thematerial and/or sleeve. Another way to secure the wrapping and/or sleeveis to heat seal the ends of the material to another portion of thematerial. One way to do this is to contact the ends with an iron ofsufficient heat to heat seal the material.

Alternatively, a cold seal adhesive may be utilized as the bondingmaterial. The cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similar substrate,acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to itself. The cold sealadhesive, since it bonds only to a similar substrate, does not cause aresidue to build up on equipment, thereby both permitting much morerapid disposition and use of such equipment to form articles andreducing labor costs. Further, since no heat is required to effect theseal, the dwell time, that is, the time for the sheet of material toform and retain the shape of an article, such as a flower pot cover orflower pot, is reduced. A cold seal adhesive binds quickly and easilywith minimal pressure, and such a seal is not readily releasable. Thischaracteristic is different from, for example, a pressure sensitiveadhesive.

The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any heat orchemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or otherelectrical materials, chemical welding materials, magnetic materials,mechanical or barb-type fastening materials or clamps, curl-typecharacteristics of the film or materials incorporated in material whichcan cause the material to take on certain shapes, cling films, slots,grooves, shrinkable materials and bands, curl materials, springs, andany type of welding method which may weld portions of the material toitself or to the pot, or to both the material itself and the pot.

Certain versions of the sleeve 10 described herein may be used inconjunction with a preformed plant cover as explained in greater detailbelow.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 10 is demarcated into an upper portion 44having an outer surface area 45 and a lower portion 46 having an outersurface area 47. The lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10 is generallysized to contain and tapered to fit the potted plant 30 or pot 32. Theupper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 is sized to substantially surround andencompass the floral grouping 42 of the potted plant 30 disposed withinthe lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 is demarcated intothe upper portion 44 and the lower portion 46 by a detaching element 48for enabling the detachment of the upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10from the lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10. In the present version, thedetaching element 48 is a plurality of generally laterally-oriented oralternatingly diagonally-oriented perforations which extendcircumferentially across the outer peripheral surface 16 of the sleeve10 from the first side 18 to the second side 20. The term “detachingelement,” as used generally herein, means any element, or combination ofelements, or features, such as, but not by way of limitation,perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other devices or elements ofthis nature known in the art, or any combination thereof, which enablethe tearing away or detachment of one object from another. Therefore,while perforations are shown and described in detail herein, it will beunderstood that tear strips, zippers, or any other “detaching elements”known in the art, or any combination thereof, could be substitutedtherefore and/or used therewith.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the lowerportion 46 of the sleeve 10 further comprises a base portion 50, and askirt portion 52. The base portion 50 comprises that part of the lowerportion 46 which, when the pot 32 is placed into the lower portion 46,has an inner peripheral surface which is substantially adjacent to andsurrounds the outer peripheral surface 38 of the pot 32. The skirtportion 52 comprises that part of the lower portion 46 which comprises aplurality of portions 53 which extend beyond the upper rim 34 of the pot32 and adjacent at least a portion of the floral grouping 42 containedwithin the pot 32 and which is left to freely extend at an angle,inwardly or outwardly, from the base portion 50 when the upper portion44 of the sleeve 10 is detached from the lower portion 46 of the sleeve10 by actuation of the detaching element 48. In the intact sleeve 10,the skirt portion 52 comprises an upper peripheral edge congruent withthe detaching element 48 which is connected to a lower peripheral edge,also congruent with the detaching element 48, of the upper portion 44 ofthe sleeve 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper peripheral edge of the skirtportion 52 is congruent with a series of alternatinglydiagonally-oriented lines of perforations which together form a zig-zagand comprise the detaching element 48.

The upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 may also have an additionaldetaching element 54 indicated as a plurality of vertical perforationsfor facilitating removal of the upper portion 44 and which are disposedmore or less vertically therein extending between the detaching element48 and the upper end 12 of the sleeve 10. The upper portion 44 of thesleeve 10 is separable from the lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10 bytearing the upper portion 44 along both the detaching element 54 and thedetaching element 48, thereby separating the upper portion 44 from thelower portion 46 of the sleeve 10. The lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10remains disposed as the base portion 50 about the pot 32 and as theskirt portion 52 about the floral grouping 42 forming a decorative cover56 as shown in FIG. 4 which substantially surrounds and encompasses theflower pot 32.

It will be understood that equipment and devices for forming floralsleeves are commercially available, and are well known to a person ofordinary skill in the art.

As noted above, the sleeve 10 may have an open or closed lower end 14.When the lower end 14 is closed the lower end 14 may have one or moregussets 60 formed therein such as that seen in sleeve 10 a in FIG. 5 forallowing expansion of the lower end 14 when an object with a broad lowerend such as the pot 32 is disposed therein. In another version of thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), as shown in sleeve10 b in FIG. 6, a strip of bonding material 62 may be disposed on theinner peripheral surface 22 of the upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 bgenerally in the vicinity of the upper end 12 of the sleeve 10 b forallowing the upper end 12 to be sealed for enclosing the upper portion44 of the sleeve 10 b about a floral grouping disposed therein. Inanother version of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s) shown in FIG. 7, a sleeve 10 c comprises a flap 64 positionedat the upper end 12 which can be folded over and sealed with a flapbonding strip 66 to an adjacent portion of the outer peripheral surface16 of the sleeve 10 c near the upper end 12 thereof. Other versions ofthe sleeve (not shown) may comprise ventilation holes or drainage holes58 for allowing movement of gases or moisture to and away from the innerspace of the sleeve.

In another version of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s), shown in FIG. 8, a sleeve 10 d is exactly like the sleeve10, but further comprises an inner strip of bonding material 68 disposedupon a portion of the inner peripheral surface 22 of the base portion 50of the sleeve 10 d. The strip of bonding material 68 functions to enablethe inner peripheral surface 22, or a portion thereof, to be bondinglyconnected to the outer peripheral surface 38 of the pot 32 disposedtherein causing the sleeve 10 d to be bondingly connected to the pot 32.

In yet another version of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s), shown in FIGS. 9-13, a bonding material 70 is disposed on aportion of the outer peripheral surface 16 of the base portion 50 of asleeve 10 e. After the pot 32 is disposed in the inner retaining space24 of the base portion 50, the sleeve 10 e is manually or automaticallycrimped about the outer peripheral surface 38 of the pot 32 in thevicinity of the bonding material 70 thereby forming overlapping folds 72in the base portion 50 which are bondingly connected together by thebonding material 70 to add structural integrity to the base portion 50and to cooperate to hold the base portion 50 in the shape of a pot coveror for causing the base portion 50 of the sleeve 10 e to engage theouter peripheral surface 38 of the pot 32 and be held firmly thereabout.The bonding material 70 may be disposed on the sleeve 10 e at a positionbelow the upper rim 34 of the pot 32 (FIGS. 9-11) or may be disposed ata position on the base portion 50 of the sleeve 10 e above the upper rim34 of the pot 32 (such as shown in FIGS. 12-13) such that theoverlapping folds 72 crimpingly formed are located in a positiongenerally above the upper rim 34 of the pot 32.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the sleeve designated as 10 f,may further comprise an extended portion comprising a support extension76 which extends away from a portion of the upper end 12 of the sleeve10 f. The support extension 76 has one or more apertures 78 disposedtherein thereby adapting the sleeve 10 f to be supported on a supportassembly (not shown) commercially available and known by one of ordinaryskill in the art such as a pair of wickets for shipment, storage,assembly of the sleeve 10 f, placement of the pot 32 within the sleeve10 f, or other functions known in the art. The support extension 76 mayhave a plurality of perforations 80 or other detaching elements forallowing the support extension 76 to be removed from the upper end 12 ofthe sleeve 10 f after the sleeve 10 f has been provided for use asdescribed elsewhere herein. In another version of the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), shown in FIG. 15, a sleeve10 g has an extended portion comprising a handle 82 for carrying thepotted plant package inside the sleeve 10 g. The sleeve 10 g may furthercomprise a detaching element 84 comprising perforations for removing thehandle 82 at a later time.

Other versions of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s) shown in FIGS. 16-19, may comprise additional perforatedareas for enhancing angularity of the extension of the skirt portionaway from the base portion after the upper portion of the sleeve hasbeen detached. For example, sleeve 10 h in FIG. 16 comprisesperforations 86 which extend vertically downward from thedownward-pointing apexes 88 in the detaching element 48, comprisinglateral perforations, which demarcates the upper peripheral edge of theskirt portion 52 of the sleeve 10 h. After the upper portion 44 of thesleeve 10 h is detached, the perforations 86 are open, allowing adjacentportions of the skirt portion 52 to be deflected at an increased angleto the base portion 50 as shown in FIG. 17.

Similarly, sleeve 10 i in FIG. 18 comprises notch perforations 90 whichallow the removal of a notch of material 92 in the vicinity of thedownward-pointing apexes 88 in the detaching element 48, comprisinglateral perforations, which demarcates the upper peripheral edge of theskirt portion 52 of the sleeve 10 i. After the upper portion 44 of thesleeve 10 i is detached, the notches 92 are removed, allowing theadjacent portions of the skirt portion 52 to be deflected at anincreased angle to the base portion 50 as shown in FIG. 19.

Sleeve 10 j, shown in FIG. 20, is an example of a sleeve constructedgenerally in accordance with the inventive concept(s) as describedherein except the sleeve 10 j has an upper portion 94 which isconstructed of a material different from a lower portion 95. The upperportion 94 and lower portion 95 are shown as bondingly connected along asealed area 96. The upper portion 94, along with a portion of the lowerportion 95 may be disconnected from each other via a detaching elementsuch as perforations 97 and 98, as described earlier.

Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 21-34

Attention is now drawn to the sleeve shown in FIG. 21 which isdesignated by the general reference numeral 100. The sleeve 100comprises a unitary construction and has a base portion 102 having asidewall 103, skirt portion 104, a sleeve portion 106 and at least oneexpansion element 108 and further has an outer peripheral surface 110,an open upper end 112 and a lower end 114 which may or may not be openor closed. The sleeve 100 has an inner retaining space 116 which extendsfrom the open upper end 112 to the lower end 114 and which isencompassed by an inner peripheral surface 118 of the sleeve 100. Thebase portion 102 is sized to substantially cover the outer peripheralsurface 38 of the pot 32, and the sleeve portion 106 is sized tosubstantially surround the floral grouping 42 within the pot 32 which isdisposed within the inner retaining space 116 of the sleeve 100.

The sleeve portion 106 extends from and is attached to the upper end 120of the skirt portion 104 and is detachable therefrom via a detachingelement 122 such as one described in detail above. The expansion element108 is integral to at least one of the base portion 102 and the skirtportion 104 and may extend into the sleeve portion 106 as shown in FIG.21. The expansion element 108 functions to allow expansion of a portionof the skirt portion 104 of the sleeve 100 into a skirt 124, such as theskirt 124 of a decorative cover 126 formed therefrom and shown in FIG.22 which extends angularly from the base portion 102 when the sleeveportion 106 is detached from the upper end 120 of the skirt portion 104.

As shown in FIG. 21, each expansion element 108 of the sleeve 100comprises one or more areas of excess material shaped in the form of apleat which extends from the base portion 102 to the upper end 112 ofthe sleeve 100. As used herein, the term “excess material” means anamount of material which has a greater surface area than would actuallybe necessary to form that portion of the plant covering were thatportion of the plant covering actually flattened. The expansion element108 can expand causing portions of the skirt portion 104 to extendangularly from the base portion 102 forming the skirt 124 and thedecorative cover 126 about a portion of the floral grouping 42 of thepotted plant 30 as shown in FIG. 22. It should be noted that althoughthe illustrated floral grouping 42 of FIG. 2 and others are differentfrom the floral group illustrated in, for example, FIG. 22, no practicaldifference is intended. The expansion element 108 may further comprise aplurality of detachable notches such as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and asexplained above.

Shown in FIG. 23 is a sleeve designated by the reference numeral 100 awhich is exactly the same as sleeve 100 except that sleeve 100 a has aplurality of expansion elements 108 a which do not extend from the baseportion 102 a all the way to the upper end 112 a of the sleeve portion106 a of the sleeve 100 a but only to a position below the upper end 112a of the sleeve 100 a. Shown in FIG. 24 is a cross-section through thesleeve 100 a which reveals the pleated nature of the expansion elements108 a therein. When the sleeve portion 106 a is removed, the expansionelements 108 a can expand as for sleeve 100 as described above causingportions of the skirt portion 104 a to extend angularly from the baseportion 102 a forming a skirt (not shown—a skirt exactly the same as theskirt 124 of the decorative cover 126 shown in FIG. 22).

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 25 and to the sleeve shown therein whichis designated by the general reference numeral 100 b. Sleeve 100 b isexactly the same as sleeve 100 except that the sleeve 100 b has aplurality of Z-shaped expansion elements 108 b. As for expansion element108 of sleeve 100, the expansion elements 108 b of sleeve 100 b canexpand causing portions of a skirt portion 104 b to extend angularlyfrom a base portion 102 b forming a skirt 124 b in a decorative cover126 b about a portion of the floral grouping 42 of the potted plant 30as shown in FIG. 26.

Similarly, shown in FIG. 27 is a sleeve designated by the referencenumeral 100 c and which is exactly the same as sleeve 100 b except thatsleeve 100 c has a plurality of expansion elements 108 c which do notextend from the base portion 102 c all the way to an upper end 112 c ofan upper portion 106 c of the sleeve 100 c but only to a position belowthe upper end 112 c of the sleeve 100 c. Shown in FIG. 28 is across-section through the sleeve 100 c of FIG. 27 which reveals theZ-shaped nature of the expansion elements 108 c therein. When the upperportion 106 c is removed, the expansion elements 108 c can expand as forsleeve 100 b causing portions of a skirt portion 104 c to extendangularly from the base portion 102 c forming a skirt exactly the sameas the skirt 124 b of the decorative cover 126 b shown in FIG. 26.

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 29 and to the sleeve shown therein whichis designated by the general reference numeral 100 d. Sleeve 100 d isexactly the same as sleeve 100 except that the sleeve 100 d has aplurality of fluted or groove-shaped expansion elements 108 d. As forexpansion element 108 of sleeve 100, the expansion elements 108 d ofsleeve 100 d can expand causing portions of a skirt portion 104 d toextend angularly from a base portion 102 d forming a skirt 124 d of adecorative cover 126 d about a portion of the floral grouping 42 of thepotted plant 30 as shown in FIG. 30.

Similarly, shown in FIG. 31, is a sleeve designated by the referencenumeral 100 e and which is exactly the same as sleeve 100 d except thatsleeve 100 e has a plurality of expansion elements 108 e which do notextend from a base portion 102 e all the way to an upper end 112 e of anupper sleeve portion 106 e of the sleeve 100 e but only to a positionbelow the upper end 112 e of the sleeve 100 e. Shown in FIG. 32 is across-section through the sleeve 100 e of FIG. 31 which reveals thefluted nature of the expansion elements 108 e therein. When the upperportion 106 e is removed, the expansion elements 108 e can expand as forsleeve 100 d causing portions of the skirt portion 104 e to extendangularly from the base portion 102 e forming a skirt exactly the sameas skirt 124 d of the decorative cover 126 d shown in FIG. 30.

It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that theshapes of the expansion elements described above are but several of theshapes which can be contemplated for the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s). Other shapes which may be contemplated aregussets, fans, and “accordion-folds” to name but a few.

Each of the sleeves 100-100 e may further comprise a support extension130 which extends away from a portion of the upper end of the sleevesuch as for the sleeve 100 f as shown in FIG. 33. The support extension130 has one or more apertures 132 disposed therein for allowing thesleeve 100 f to be supported on a support assembly 134 which maycomprise, for example, a pair of wickets 136 for shipment, storage, andassembly of the sleeve 100 f, placement of a pot within the sleeve 100f, or other functions known in the art. The support extension 130 mayhave a plurality of perforations 138 or other detaching elements forallowing the support extension 130 to be removed from the sleeve 100 fafter the sleeve 100 f has been provided for use as described elsewhereherein. In another version of the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s), and applicable to any of the sleeves describedabove, or elsewhere herein, shown in FIG. 34 is a sleeve 100 g which hasa handle 140 for carrying the potted plant package by the sleeve 100 g.The sleeve 100 g further comprises a detaching element 142 comprisingperforations for removing a handle 140 at a later time.

As noted above, the protective sleeve and decorative cover components ofthe presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may comprise aunitary construction, as described in the versions of the presentlydisclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) exemplified in FIGS. 1-34, ormay comprise separately formed components which are attached together byvarious bonding materials, as described below.

For example, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)may comprise, in one series of embodiments, a sleeve-cover combinationand a method for packaging a pot or potted plant. In the method, apreformed decorative plant cover is provided. The plant cover has abonding material disposed upon a portion of its inner peripheral surfacefor bonding the cover to the outer peripheral surface of a pot. In oneembodiment, a bonding material is also disposed upon a portion of theouter peripheral surface of the pot. In the case where a decorativecover is provided which does not have a bonding material disposed on theinner peripheral surface thereof, a pot having a bonding materialdisposed upon a portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof isprovided for bonding to a portion of the inner peripheral surface of thedecorative cover. The pot is inserted into the pot retaining space ofthe preformed pot cover whereby the bonding material engages the innerperipheral surface of the cover and bondingly connects the outerperipheral surface of the pot thereto providing a covered pot.

In the next step of the method, a sleeve portion is provided forapplying to the covered pot for providing protection to the plantalready, or soon to be, disposed within the retaining space of the pot.The sleeve portion is preferably an open-ended, frusto-conically shaped,or semi frusto-conically shaped, tube similar to sleeves well-known topersons of ordinary skill in the art. The sleeve may be free of anybonding material disposed thereon, or a bonding material may be disposedon a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, preferablynear the lower end of the sleeve. The sleeve is opened and the coveredpot, as described, is deposited into the inner retaining space of thesleeve. As noted above, the decorative cover which covers the pot mayhave a bonding material disposed upon a portion of the outer peripheralsurface thereof.

In one version of the method, a covered pot free of anyexternally-disposed bonding material is deposited into a sleeve having abonding material disposed on a portion of the inner peripheral surfacethereof. As the covered pot is moved downwardly into the sleeve, thebonding material on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve engages aportion of the outer peripheral surface of the cover causing the sleeveto be bondingly connected to the cover disposed about the covered plant.Preferably, the sleeve bondingly engages a portion of the cover near theupper end of the base portion of the cover yet below the skirt portionof the cover to allow free extension of the skirt portion of the cover.

In an alternative version of the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s), as noted above, the bonding material may bedisposed on the outer surface of the cover of the covered pot while thesleeve may be free of a bonding material. In this case, when the coveredpot is disposed into the open sleeve, the bonding material on the outerperipheral surface of the cover engages a portion of the innerperipheral surface of the sleeve causing the sleeve to be bondinglyconnected to the cover of the covered plant. Again, preferably thesleeve bondingly engages a portion of the cover near the upper end ofthe base portion of the cover yet below the skirt portion of the cover.

In yet another version of the method of the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s), the bonding material may be disposed onboth the outer surface of the covered pot and the inner peripheralsurface of the sleeve. In such a case, preferably the bonding materialboth of the cover and the sleeve is a cohesive which allows bonding toitself but not to dissimilar surfaces. The embodiments of thesleeve/cover combination or package briefly described above aredescribed in more detail below in relation to FIGS. 35-57.

Embodiments of FIGS. 35-44

Attention is now drawn to the embodiments of the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) as shown in FIGS. 35-39. Represented by thegeneral reference numeral 150 in FIG. 35 is a pot. The pot 150 has anupper end 152, a lower end 154, an outer peripheral surface 156, anupper opening 158, and an inner retaining space 160. Shown in FIGS. 36and 37 is a plant cover referred to by the general reference numeral162. The plant cover 162 has an outer peripheral surface 164, an upperend 166, a lower end 168, a base portion 170 sized generally toaccommodate pot 150, a skirt portion 172 which extends from the baseportion 170, an upper opening 174, an inner or pot retaining space 176,an inner peripheral surface 178, and a bonding material 180 which isdisposed upon at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface 178.Shown in FIG. 37 is the pot 150 which has been inserted into the potretaining space 176 of the plant cover 162.

As indicated in FIG. 37 the bonding material 180 on the inner peripheralsurface 178 of the plant cover 162 is bondingly connected to the outerperipheral surface 156 of the pot 150. The bonding material 180 is shownin the Figures as being preferably disposed near an upper end of thebase portion 170 of the plant cover 162 wherein the bonding material 180bonds at a position near the upper end 152 of the pot 150. However, thebonding material 180 may be disposed at other locations on the innerperipheral surface 178 of the plant cover 162 for bonding to otherpositions or points of the outer peripheral surface 156 of the pot 150.

Shown in FIG. 38 is a sleeve designated by the reference numeral 182.The sleeve 182 has an upper end 184, an upper opening 186, a lower end188, a lower opening 190, an outer peripheral surface 192, an innerperipheral surface 194, and an inner retaining space 196 which isencompassed generally by the inner peripheral surface 194. A bondingmaterial 198 is disposed upon a portion of the inner peripheral surface194. In FIG. 38 the bonding material 198 is shown disposed on the innerperipheral surface 194 near the lower end 188 of the sleeve 182, but itwill be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that thebonding material 198 may be disposed elsewhere on the inner peripheralsurface 194 of the sleeve 182.

Sleeve 182 further comprises lateral perforations 200 and verticalperforations 202 for allowing detachment of an upper portion of thesleeve 182. Perforations 202 may also represent other forms of detachingelements for detaching the upper portion of the sleeve 182. FIG. 39shows a sleeve/cover package 204 comprising the plant cover 162 and pot150 as shown in FIG. 37 and the sleeve 182 as shown in FIG. 38 after thepot 150 and plant cover 162 have been inserted into the inner retainingspace 196 of the sleeve 182. As shown in FIG. 39, the bonding material198 bondingly connects a portion of the outer peripheral surface 164 ofthe plant cover 162 to the inner peripheral surface 194 of the sleeve182 at a position generally near an upper end of the base portion 170 ofthe plant cover 162. Once the plant cover 162 with the pot 150 thereinhas been disposed into the inner retaining space 196 of the sleeve 182,the skirt portion 172 of the plant cover 162 is substantially surroundedand encompassed by the sleeve 182. As will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art, a portion of the sleeve portion 182 can beremoved from the sleeve/cover package 204 when it is desired todecoratively display a plant contained within the pot 150.

Shown in FIG. 40 is a preformed plant cover represented by the generalreference numeral 162 a. The plant cover 162 a is exactly the same asthe plant cover 162 shown in FIG. 36 except that the plant cover 162 ahas an outer bonding material 181 a disposed on an outer peripheralsurface 164 a in addition to a bonding material 180 a which is disposedupon an inner peripheral surface 178 a of the plant cover 162 a. Shownin FIG. 41 is a pot 150 which has been disposed within a pot retainingspace 176 a of the plant cover 162 a wherein the bonding material 180 aof the plant cover 162 a has bondingly connected to a portion of theouter peripheral surface 156 of the pot 150. The bonding material 181 ais shown on the outer peripheral surface 164 a of the plant cover 162 a.

Shown in FIG. 42 is a sleeve 182 a having an outer peripheral surface192 a, a lower end 188 a, and an inner peripheral surface 194 a. Thesleeve 182 a is exactly the same as the sleeve 182 shown in FIG. 38except that sleeve 182 a does not have a bonding material disposed onthe inner peripheral surface 194 a near the lower end 188 a of thesleeve 182 a. FIG. 43 shows a sleeve/cover package 204 a combinationexactly as shown in FIG. 41 which has been disposed into an innerretaining space 196 a of the sleeve 182 a wherein the bonding material181 a on the outer peripheral surface 164 a of the plant cover 162 a hasbondingly connected to a portion of the inner peripheral surface 194 aof the sleeve 182 a to form the sleeve/cover package 204 a. As before,the skirt portion 172 a of the plant cover 162 a is substantiallysurrounded and encompassed by the sleeve 182 a.

Shown in FIG. 44 is a sleeve/cover package 204 b which is comprised ofthe pot 150 as described above, a plant cover 162 a as described abovein FIG. 40 and a sleeve 182 as described above in FIG. 38. Sleeve/coverpackage 204 b thus comprises the plant cover 162 a having the bondingmaterial 181 a on the outer peripheral surface 164 a thereof, which isbondingly connected to the bonding material 198 which is on a portion ofthe inner peripheral surface 194 of the sleeve 182. In a preferredembodiment, the bonding materials 181 a and 198 of sleeve/cover package204 b are cohesive materials but may be any bonding material describedpreviously herein.

Embodiments of FIGS. 45-55

Shown in FIG. 45 is a pot designated by the reference numeral 150 awhich is exactly the same as pot 150 described previously herein exceptthat the pot 150 a, which has an upper end 152 a, a lower end 154 a, andan outer peripheral surface 156 a, also has a bonding material 161 adisposed on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface 156 a.Shown in FIG. 46 is a preformed plant cover designated by the generalreference numeral 162 b which has an outer peripheral surface 164 b, abase portion 170 b, a skirt portion 172 b and an inner peripheralsurface 178 b. The plant cover 162 b is exactly the same as the plantcover 162 except that the plant cover 162 b does not have a bondingmaterial such as the bonding material 180 disposed upon a portion of theinner peripheral surface 178 b.

Shown in FIG. 47 is the plant cover 162 b with the pot 150 a disposedtherein, wherein the bonding material 161 a of the pot 150 a isbondingly connected to a portion of the inner peripheral surface 178 bof the plant cover 162 b. Shown in FIG. 48 is a sleeve/cover package 204c which is comprised of the plant cover 162 b having the pot 150 atherein as shown in FIG. 47 and the sleeve 182 as shown in FIG. 38 whichhas the inner peripheral surface 194 and the bonding material 198disposed upon a portion of the inner peripheral surface 194. The bondingmaterial 198 of the sleeve 182 is bondingly connected to a portion ofthe outer peripheral surface 164 b of the base portion 170 b of theplant cover 162 b. The skirt portion 172 b of the plant cover 162 b isthus substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve 182.

Shown in FIGS. 49 and 50 is a plant cover 162 c having an outerperipheral surface 164 c, a base portion 170 c, a skirt portion 172 c,and an inner peripheral surface 178 c. The plant cover 162 c is exactlythe same as the plant cover 162 b of FIG. 46 except that the plant cover162 c further comprises a bonding material 181 c disposed upon theportion of the outer peripheral surface 164 c of the cover 162 c. Shownin FIG. 50 is the plant cover 162 c containing the pot 150 a (FIG. 45).The pot 150 a is bondingly connected to the inner peripheral surface 178c of the plant cover 162 c via the bonding material 161 a as describedpreviously. Shown in FIG. 51 is sleeve/cover package 204 d. Thesleeve/cover package 204 d comprises the pot 150 a contained within theplant cover 162 c as described in FIG. 50 which is disposed in the innerretaining space 196 a of sleeve 182 a shown in FIG. 42. A portion of theinner peripheral surface 194 a of the sleeve 182 a is bondinglyconnected to a portion of the outer peripheral surface 164 c of theplant cover 162 c via the bonding material 181 c. The skirt portion 172c of the plant cover 162 c is substantially surrounded and encompassedby the sleeve 182 a.

Shown in FIG. 52 is the pot 150 a disposed within the pot retainingspace 176 a of a plant cover 162 a shown in FIG. 40. The plant cover 162a comprises the bonding material 180 a disposed on the inner peripheralsurface 178 a thereof and the bonding material 181 a disposed on theouter peripheral surface 164 a thereof. The bonding material 161 a ofthe pot 150 a is connected to the bonding material 180 a of the plantcover 162 a. The pot 150 a and cover 162 a may be disposed within asleeve such as sleeve 182 or sleeve 182 a.

Shown in FIG. 53 is a sleeve/cover package 204 e comprising the pot 150a and plant cover 162 c disposed within the inner retaining space 196 ofthe sleeve 182 described in FIG. 38 previously. As indicated in FIG. 53,the bonding material 181 c of the plant cover 162 c is bondinglyconnected to the bonding material 198 of the sleeve 182 therebyconnecting the outer peripheral surface 164 c of the plant cover 162 cto a portion of the inner peripheral surface 194 of the sleeve 182. Asdiscussed previously, in the case of using a plant cover having abonding material on the outer peripheral surface thereof along with asleeve having a bonding material on the inner peripheral surfacethereof, preferably the bonding material is a cohesive. It will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other combinations ofpots, covers and sleeves other than those specifically delineated hereinare practicable and are well within the spirit of the embodimentsdescribed herein.

Shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 is one example of a method and apparatus whichcan be used to cause a sleeve to be attached to the outer peripheralsurface of a decorative cover surrounding a potted plant. A pedestal isrepresented by the reference numeral 210. The pedestal 210 is comprisedof a post 212, a base 214 and a pot support surface 216. A potted plant218 is placed upon the pot support surface 216, the potted plant 218having a bonding material 220 disposed on the outer peripheral surfaceof the cover of the potted plant 218. A plurality of sleeves 222 isdisposed upon the pedestal 210 near the base 214. A single sleeve 224 iscaused to be brought up around the outside of the potted plant 218. Theindividual sleeve 224 has an inner peripheral surface 226, an upper end228, and a bonding material 230 disposed upon a portion of the innerperipheral surface 226 preferably near the lower end of the sleeve 224.Shown in FIG. 55 is a sleeve 224 which has been brought up about theexterior of the potted plant 218 wherein the bonding material 230 on thesleeve 224 is caused to be bondingly connected to the bonding material220 on the exterior surface of the potted plant 218. The sleeve 224 andthe potted plant 218 together comprise a sleeve and cover package 232.

Embodiments of FIGS. 56-67

Shown in FIG. 56 and represented by the general reference numeral 238 isa sleeve/plant package comprising a pot 240 and a sleeve 242. The sleeve242 has an outer peripheral surface 244, an inner peripheral surface246, a lower end 248, an upper end 250, a plurality of perforations 252and an inner bonding material 254 disposed on a portion of the innerperipheral surface 246 thereof. The inner bonding material 254 serves tobondingly connect the lower end 248 of the sleeve 242 to a portion ofthe pot 240, preferably an upper end of the pot 240. It will also beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the object asrepresented by the pot 240 could also be a pot covered with a decorativepot cover as described elsewhere herein. In that case the bondingmaterial 254 on the sleeve 242 would bondingly connect the innerperipheral surface 246 of the sleeve 242 to a portion of the outerperipheral surface of the decorative cover surrounding the pot 240

An alternative embodiment of a sleeve 242 a of a sleeve/plant package238 a is shown in FIG. 57. In this embodiment of the sleeve/plantpackage 238 a, the sleeve 242 a has no bonding material thereon.Instead, a bonding material 256 a is disposed on a portion of an outerperipheral surface 241 a of a pot 240 a for bondingly connecting thesleeve 242 a to the pot 240 a. An additional embodiment is representedin FIG. 58 by a sleeve/plant package designated by the reference numeral238 b. The sleeve/plant package 238 b comprises a sleeve 242 b having abonding material 254 b disposed on a portion of an inner peripheralsurface 246 b of the sleeve 242 b. In addition, the pot 240 a has abonding material 256 a disposed on a portion of an outer peripheralsurface 241 a of the pot 240 a. Together the bonding materials 254 b and256 a, which preferably are cohesives, cause the sleeve 242 b to bebondingly connected to the pot 240 a.

Shown in FIG. 59 is yet another version of the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) comprising a sleeve/plant packagedesignated by the reference numeral 238 c. The sleeve/plant package 238c comprises a sleeve 242 c and a pot 240. The sleeve 242 c has both aninner bonding material 254 c which is disposed upon a portion of aninner peripheral surface 246 c of the sleeve 242 c and an outer bondingmaterial 258 c which is disposed upon a portion of an outer peripheralsurface 244 c of the sleeve 242 c. As noted above, any of thesleeve/plant packages 238, 238 a, 238 b, and 238 c may comprise a pottedplant having a decorative pot cover in lieu of the pot 240 or 240 a towhich the aforementioned sleeves are attached.

An alternate version of a sleeve as used in the presently disclosed andclaimed inventive concept(s) is shown in FIGS. 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64,and is designated by the general reference numeral 260. The sleeve 260comprises an upper end 262, a lower end 264, an outer peripheral surface266, an inner peripheral surface 268, a plurality of perforations orother detaching element 270, an inverted portion 272 (FIGS. 60-63)disposed at the lower end 264 and a cover strip 274 (FIGS. 61 and 62)which conceals a bonding material 276 (FIGS. 61-63) disposed upon anexternal portion 277 of the inverted portion 272. In use, as shown inFIG. 61, the sleeve 260 is disposed about the pot 240 wherein a portionof the lower end 264 of the sleeve 260 is placed adjacent a portion ofan outer peripheral surface 241 of the pot 240. The cover strip 274 canthen be removed revealing the bonding material 276 disposed upon aportion of an externally facing portion 277 of the inverted portion 272,as shown in FIGS. 61 and 62. The inverted portion 272 is then turneddown as shown in FIG. 63 wherein the bonding material 276 is caused toface a portion of the outer peripheral surface 241 of the pot 240.Finally, shown in FIG. 64, is a sleeve/plant package 278 which isproduced when the sleeve 260 is bondingly connected at the lower end 264thereof to the pot 240.

Shown in FIGS. 65 and 66 are two pot covers 280 and 280 a, respectively.The pot cover 280 shown in FIG. 65 is a pot cover such as those wellknown in the art and described previously herein and having a retainingspace 282. The pot cover 280 a has a retaining space 282 a and a bondingmaterial 284 disposed upon a portion of an inner peripheral surface 285of the pot cover 280 a. Any of the sleeve plant packages shownpreviously in FIGS. 56-64 may be disposed in either of the pot covers280 or 280 a. For example, sleeve/plant packages 238, 238 a, 238 b, and278 may be disposed in the pot retaining space 282 a of the pot cover280 a. The bonding material 284 disposed on the inner peripheral surface285 of the pot cover 280 a can be caused to bondingly connect to aportion of the sleeve/plant package 238, 238 a, 238 b or 278,sleeve/plant package 278 being shown, resulting in the sleeve/plantpackage 286 shown in FIG. 67. Alternatively, the sleeve/plant package238 c which has the bonding material 258 c disposed on the outerperipheral surface 244 thereof can be disposed in pot cover 280. The potcover 280, having no adhesive or bonding material disposed thereon, isbondingly connected to the sleeve/plant package 238 c via the bondingmaterial 258 c.

Embodiments of FIGS. 68-73

Another version of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s) and its use thereof is shown in FIGS. 68-73. FIG. 68illustrates a covered potted plant designated by the general referencenumeral 288. The covered potted plant 288 is comprised of a pot cover290 which has a skirt portion 292, a base portion 294, an outerperipheral surface 296, and a retaining space 297. A potted plant 298 isdisposed within the retaining space 297 of the pot cover 290. Shown inFIG. 69 is a sleeve designated by the general reference numeral 300having a generally cylindrical shape and having an upper end 302, alower end 304, an outer peripheral surface 306, an inner peripheralsurface 308, a bonding material 310 disposed in the vicinity of theupper end 302, a vertical perforation 312 extending from near the upperend 302 to the lower end 304, a lateral perforation 314 extendingcircumferentially around the sleeve 300, and one or more expansionelements 316. In use the sleeve 300 is drawn up about the base portion294 of the covered potted plant 288 of FIG. 68 wherein the bondingmaterial 310 of the sleeve 300 is caused to be bondingly connected to aportion of the outer peripheral surface 296 of the pot cover 290 asshown in FIG. 70. The sleeve 300 can be then brought up about thecovered potted plant 288 by grasping the lower end 304 of the sleeve 300and drawing the lower end 304 in the direction 318 over the upper end ofthe covered potted plant 288 as shown in FIG. 71. Once fully drawn upabout the covered potted plant 288, the sleeve 300 encompasses the skirtportion 292 of the pot cover 290 of the covered potted plant 288. Theresulting sleeve/plant package is designated in FIG. 72 by the generalreference numeral 320. Shown in FIG. 73 is the sleeve/plant package 320after the upper portion of the sleeve 300 has been removed causing theskirt portion 292 of the pot cover 290 of the covered potted plant 288to be exposed and the remaining portion 322 of the sleeve 300 leftbondingly connected to a portion of the base portion 294 of the potcover 290 of the covered potted plant 288.

In an alternative embodiment of a sleeve/cover combination, a sleevehaving a skirt portion attached therein is shown in FIGS. 74 and 75 anddesignated by the general reference numeral 326. The sleeve/covercombination 326 comprises a sleeve 328. The sleeve 328 comprises a baseportion 330 having a lower end 332, a sleeve portion 334 having an upperend 336, an outer peripheral surface 338, and an inner peripheralsurface 340. A skirt component 342 comprising a lower end 344, an upperend 346, an outer peripheral surface 348, an inner peripheral surface350 and a bonding material 352 is shown disposed within the sleeve 328.The skirt component 342 is bondingly connected at a portion of its outerperipheral surface 348 to a portion of the inner peripheral surface 340of the sleeve 328 via the bonding material 352. The upper end 346 of theskirt component 342 is substantially surrounded and encompassed by thesleeve portion 334 of the sleeve 328. Shown in FIG. 75 is an alternateview of the skirt component 342 bondingly connected by the bondingmaterial 352 to a portion of the inner peripheral surface 340 of thesleeve 328. Also shown in FIG. 75 are perforations 354 in the sleeve 328for allowing detachment of the sleeve portion 334 away from the skirtcomponent 342 and the base portion 330 thereby allowing the skirtcomponent 342 to be exposed.

Embodiments of FIGS. 76-86

In yet another version of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s) rather than providing a preformed pot cover, a sheet ofmaterial may be provided for forming a cover about a pot. In anembodiment as shown in FIG. 76 a sheet of material 360 is provided. Thesheet of material 360 has an inner surface 362, an outer surface 364, afirst edge 366, a second edge 368, a third edge 370, a fourth edge 372,and a bonding material 374 which is disposed upon a portion of the outersurface 364. A potted plant 298 can be disposed upon the inner surface362 of the sheet of material 360, which can then be wrapped and formedinto a decorative cover 376 about the potted plant 298 as shown in FIG.77 in a manner well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Thedecorative cover 376 thus formed comprises a base portion 378, and askirt portion 380. The bonding material 374 is therefore disposed uponan outer surface 381 of the decorative cover 376. Shown in FIGS. 78 and79, and designated by the general reference numeral 382, is a sleevehaving an outer peripheral surface 384, an inner peripheral surface 386,and an inner retaining space 387 surrounded by the inner peripheralsurface 386. The potted plant 298 shown in FIG. 77 having the decorativecover 376 is then disposed in the inner retaining space 387 of thesleeve 382 wherein the bonding material 374 of the decorative cover 376engages a portion of the inner peripheral surface 386 of the sleeve 382thereby bondingly connecting a portion of the outer peripheral surface381 of the decorative cover 376 to the inner peripheral surface 386 ofthe sleeve 382 in forming a sleeve/plant package 388 as shown in FIG.79.

In an alternate version of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s) shown in FIGS. 80 and 81, a sleeve 382 a having an outerperipheral surface 384 a, an inner peripheral surface 386 a, and aninner retaining space 387 a is provided. Disposed upon a portion of theinner peripheral surface 386 a of the sleeve 382 a is a bonding material390. A potted plant 298 such as that shown in FIG. 77 having adecorative cover 376 which has a bonding material 374 thereon isdisposed within the inner retaining space 387 a of the sleeve 382 a toform a sleeve/cover package 388 a wherein the bonding material 390 ofthe sleeve 382 a bondingly connects to the bonding material 374 of thedecorative cover 376. Preferably, when both the sleeve 382 a and thedecorative cover 376 have a bonding material thereon the bondingmaterial is a cohesive wherein the bonding material 390 cohesivelyconnects to the bonding material 374.

In an alternative version of the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s), as shown in FIGS. 82 and 83, the sleeve may not bea tube but instead may be formed of a flat sheet of material having agenerally trapezoidal, square or rectangular shape. It will beappreciated that any size or shape of sheet of material may be utilizedas long as this sheet of material functions in the manner describedherein in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s). Shown in FIG. 82 is a sheet of material designated by thegeneral reference numeral 394. The sheet of material 394 has an innersurface 396, an outer surface 398, a first edge 400, a second edge 402,a third edge 404 and a fourth edge 406. The sheet 394 further hasvertical perforations 408 and lateral perforations 410 which representdetaching elements. The sheet 394 further has a first bonding strip 412flanking the second edge 402 and a second bonding strip 414 which isdisposed horizontally and flanks the third edge 404. The covered pottedplant 288 having the pot cover 290 is provided as shown previously inFIG. 73 herein. The sheet of material 394 can then be wrapped about thecovered potted plant 288 forming a generally frusto-conical shapedsleeve 416 as shown in FIG. 83. The first bonding strip 412 which hereis shown to be vertically oriented is caused to engage and bondinglyconnect to the fourth edge 406 of the sheet of material 394 as indicatedin FIG. 83 thereby forming an overlapping sealed area between the firstbonding strip 412 and the portion of the surface of the sheet ofmaterial 394 near the fourth edge 406. The second bonding strip 414which here is shown to be horizontally oriented is caused to engage andbondingly connect circumferentially about a portion of the outerperipheral surface 296 of the pot cover 290 formed about the coveredpotted plant 288 thereby forming a generally frusto-conical shapedsleeve 416 and forming a sleeve/cover package 418 comprising the coveredpotted plant 288 and then the sleeve 416. A portion of the sleeve 416can then be removed by detaching the portion along the perforations 408and 410.

Another version of the presently disclosed and claimed inventiveconcept(s), as shown in FIGS. 84-86. In FIG. 84, a sheet of materialdesignated by the general reference numeral 394 a is provided. The sheetof material 394 a has an inner surface 396 a, an outer surface 398 a, afirst edge 400 a, a second edge 402 a, a third edge 404 a and a fourthedge 406 a. The sheet of material 394 a further has a plurality ofvertical perforations 408 a and a plurality of lateral perforations 410a. Further, the sheet of material 394 a has a first bonding strip 412 awhich is generally disposed along the second edge 402 a, a secondbonding strip 414 a which is generally disposed along the third edge 404a and a sealing strip 420 a which is generally disposed along the firstedge 400 a. As indicated in the embodiment previously shown in FIGS. 82and 83 the sheet of material 394 a can be wrapped about the coveredpotted plant 288 to form a sleeve/cover package 424. As shown in FIGS.85 and 86 the sealing strip 420 a can be sealed along its length to sealthe upper end 421 of the sleeve 422 formed therefrom for reducing gasexchange or moisture loss from the covered potted plant 288.

It should also be noted that for all versions of preformed covers andsheets of material described above and elsewhere herein, an additionalbonding material may be disposed either on the outer surface of thecover, the inner surface of the cover, or both the outer and innersurfaces of the cover for allowing portions of the cover to becrimpingly connected to the pot in exactly the same manner as describedelsewhere herein. Further, in each of these versions described hereinthe sleeve which is bondingly connected to the cover comprises adetaching element as described earlier for allowing the sleeve orportion thereof to be detached from the cover thereby exposing the skirtportion of the base of the cover or another portion of the base andallowing the portion thereby exposed to extend angularly from the baseof the cover. Further, in any of the versions of the presently disclosedand claimed inventive concept(s) described herein, it may be desirableto have a cover strip covering the bonding material disposed on anyportion of the object for preventing the bonding material from bondingto a surface until the desired time. Further in each of the casesdescribed herein wherein a sleeve is applied to a pot or a covered pot,the sleeve may be applied thereto either by depositing the pot orcovered pot downwardly into the open retaining space of the sleeve, orthe sleeve may be brought upwardly about the pot or covered pot frombelow the pot or covered pot as shown for example using the pedestal ofFIGS. 54 and 55.

It should be further noted that features of the versions of thepresently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) shown in FIGS. 6-20such as closure bonding areas, support extensions, handles, additionalperforations and combinations of material may be used alone or incombination as elements of any of the embodiments described aboveherein.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variouscomponents, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps orthe sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimedinventive concept(s) as defined in the following claims.

1. A method of providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping,comprising the steps of: providing a floral grouping comprising at leastone cut flower or cut plant, the floral grouping having at least one ofa bloom portion, a stem portion and a foliage portion, the floralgrouping provided in the absence of a pot; providing a sleeve having anupper end, a lower end, and a flattened condition and openable to exposean inner retaining space, the sleeve having a first panel, a secondpanel, a first side edge and a second side edge wherein the first andsecond panels are connected along at least a portion of the first sideedge and along at least a portion of the second side edge, at least aportion of at least one of the first and second panels comprising atleast two layers of material wherein the at least two layers of materialare substantially connected, the sleeve further comprising an upperportion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is detachable fromthe lower portion via a detaching element, and the sleeve being providedwith at least one of a decorative pattern, decorative finish, decorativedesign, decorative color and combinations thereof disposed thereon;disposing at least a portion of at least one of the stem portion, thebloom portion and the foliage portion of the floral grouping into theinner retaining space of the sleeve; and securing the sleeve about thefloral grouping via a bonding material.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve, the at least two layers ofmaterial that form at least a portion of at least one of the first andsecond panels are laminated.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein, in thestep of providing a sleeve, the lower end of the sleeve is open.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve, the lowerend of the sleeve is closed.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein, in thestep of providing the sleeve, the at least two layers of material thatform at least a portion of at least one of the first and second panelsare constructed from a material selected from the group consisting ofpaper, polymeric film, non-polymeric film, woven fabric, nonwovenfabric, synthetic fabric, natural fabric, cardboard, fiber, cloth,burlap, laminations thereof and combinations thereof.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the sleeve isprovided with a modification disposed on at least a portion thereof,wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting ofprinting, embossing, flocking, a metallic finish, etching, andcombinations thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step ofproviding a floral grouping, the floral grouping comprises at least onecut fresh flower or at least one cut fresh plant.
 8. The method of claim1 wherein, in the step of providing a floral grouping, the floralgrouping comprises at least one artificial cut flower or at least oneartificial cut plant.
 9. A method of providing a decorative cover for afloral grouping, comprising the steps of: providing a floral groupingcomprising at least one cut flower or cut plant, the floral groupinghaving at least one of a bloom portion, a stem portion and a foliageportion, the floral grouping provided in the absence of a pot; providinga sleeve having an upper end, a lower end, and a flattened condition andopenable to expose an inner retaining space, the sleeve having a firstpanel, a second panel, a first side edge and a second side edge whereinthe first and second panels are connected along at least a portion ofthe first side edge and along at least a portion of the second sideedge, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second panelscomprising at least two layers of material wherein at least a portion ofthe at least two layers of material are connected, the sleeve furthercomprising an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upperportion is detachable from the lower portion via a detaching element,and the sleeve being provided with at least one of a decorative pattern,decorative finish, decorative design, decorative color and combinationsthereof disposed thereon; disposing at least a portion of at least oneof the stem portion, the bloom portion and the foliage portion of thefloral grouping into the inner retaining space of the sleeve; andsecuring the sleeve about the floral grouping via a bonding material.10. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve,the at least two layers of material that form at least a portion of atleast one of the first and second panels are laminated.
 11. The methodof claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve, the lower end ofthe sleeve is open.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step ofproviding a sleeve, the lower end of the sleeve is closed.
 13. Themethod of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the atleast two layers of material that form at least a portion of at leastone of the first and second panels are constructed from a materialselected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film,non-polymeric film, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, synthetic fabric,natural fabric, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, laminations thereof andcombinations thereof.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step ofproviding the sleeve, the sleeve is provided with a modificationdisposed on at least a portion thereof, wherein the modification isselected from the group consisting of printing, embossing, flocking, ametallic finish, etching, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method ofclaim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a floral grouping, the floralgrouping comprises at least one cut fresh flower or at least one cutfresh plant.
 16. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providinga floral grouping, the floral grouping comprises at least one artificialcut flower or at least one artificial cut plant.